FTD Class Action Lawsuit: Flower Delivery Company Accused of Hiding Fees

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims FTD misled consumers with hidden fees in its flower delivery service, violating consumer protection laws.

Consumers Affected: Consumers who purchased flowers through FTD and were charged undisclosed fees.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division

Flower delivery giant FTD, LLC allegedly deceives customers with hidden fees, tacking on a surprise $19.99 charge at the last stage of checkout, a new lawsuit claims. 

The company’s pricing scheme misleads shoppers into believing they are getting a better deal than they actually are, violating consumer protection laws, the lawsuit alleges, adding “The goal of Defendant’s false advertising is to convince consumers shopping for flower delivery that Defendant’s goods and services are $19.99 cheaper than they really are, and trick them into paying a higher price.”

FTD Accused of Misleading Customers with Hidden Fees

Maio Inoue, who filed the proposed class action lawsuit, claims she was duped by FTD’s pricing tactics when purchasing a floral arrangement for a friend’s birthday. Inoue initially browsed 1-800-Flowers but opted for FTD because it appeared cheaper. She selected a $45 bouquet, believing that was the full cost before taxes.

Throughout the multi-step checkout process—which included inputting delivery details, crafting a gift message, and reviewing her order summary—she saw no indication of additional fees. However, at the final payment page, a previously undisclosed $19.99 “delivery fee” suddenly appeared. At that point, under time pressure to complete her order, Inoue felt forced to accept the charge. She argues that if she had known the true cost upfront, she would have shopped elsewhere.

Lawsuit Alleges FTD Violated Consumer Protection Laws with Deceptive Pricing

According to the lawsuit, FTD advertises floral arrangements at artificially low prices to lure in customers. However, the company allegedly conceals the $19.99 surcharge until the last step of checkout—after customers have spent significant time selecting an arrangement, entering recipient details, and filling out payment information.

By delaying the disclosure, FTD allegedly pressures customers into proceeding with their purchase rather than restarting their search elsewhere. Even if a customer abandons their cart, the lawsuit claims FTD benefits by collecting personal data, which can be used for future marketing. This practice, often referred to as “junk fees,” has been a growing concern among consumer watchdogs and regulators.

Other Companies Face Similar Lawsuits Over Hidden Fees

FTD is far from the only company facing legal action over hidden fees. McDonald’s was recently hit with a lawsuit claiming it misleads consumers by displaying orange juice in promotional images for breakfast combos, only to charge extra for it at checkout. 

Target & Shipt are facing class action lawsuits alleging that Target and its delivery service, Shipt, falsely advertised free or flat-rate delivery but later tacked on hidden charges, and Staples is accused of enrolling customers in a subscription service with promised discounts, then adding an undisclosed $9.95 shipping fee.

Meanwhile, another flower giant, 1-800-Flowers, is also facing legal action, but over allegations that its subscription program auto-renews customers without proper disclosure.

In her lawsuit against FTD, LLC, Inoue wants to represent consumers from across the country who have been hit by FTD’s hidden fees. She is suing for violations of California's consumer protection laws, including the Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law, and Consumer Legal Remedies Act. She is seeking injunctive relief, damages, interest, fees, and costs.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Inoue v. FTD, LLC
• Case Number: 1:25-cv-01016
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Bryan Paul Thompson and Kristen Simplicio (Clarkson Law Firm, P.C.)

Have you ordered flowers through FTD? Share your experience with their pricing and fees in the comments below.